Input and output buffers having symmetrical operating characteristics and immunity from voltage variations

ABSTRACT

A pair of self-biased differential amplifiers having a non-symmetrical topology are combined to provide a self-biased differential amplifier having a symmetrical topology. Each of the combined differential amplifiers includes a pair of transistors coupled to each other as a current mirror. The current mirror transistors are coupled in series with a respective one of a pair of differential input transistors. A current source transistor is coupled to the differential input transistors, and it is self-biased by one of the current mirror transistors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to buffers of the type normally used to input and output signals in memory devices and other electronic devices, and more particularly to a buffer that responds to rising and falling edges of a digital signal in essentially the same manner with a timing that is substantially insensitive to supply voltage and other voltage variations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Input and output buffers are commonly used in a wide variety of electrical devices to couple digital signals to or from the electrical devices. The buffers generally provide a high input impedance to avoid excessively loading circuits to which they are connected, and they have a low output impedance to simultaneously drive electrical circuits without excessive loading. Input buffers are used, for example, to couple command, address and write data signals from command, address and data buses, respectively, of memory devices, including dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) devices. Output buffers are used in memory devices, for example, to couple read data to the data bus.

As the operating speed of memory devices continues to increase, the timing at which command, address and write data signals, as well as other signals, are coupled to circuits in memory devices has become more critical. Similarly, the timing at which read data signals are coupled to external devices, such as memory controllers, has also become more critical. The manner in which input buffers and output buffers couple signals has therefore become very important to the high speed operation of memory devices. With reference to FIG. 1A, an input signal S_(IN) applied to a buffer transitions from a low or binary “0” value to a high or binary “1” value at time t₀. The input signal S_(IN) then transitions from the high value to the low value at time t₂. In many cases, the voltage of the input signal S_(IN) is compared to a reference voltage V_(REF), and the buffer switches when the magnitude of the input signal S_(IN) increases above V_(REF) or decreases below V_(REF).

In response to the transitions of the input signal S_(IN), the buffer produces an output signal S_(OUT), which is shown in FIG. 1B. In response to the low-to-high transition of the input signal S_(IN), the output signal S_(OUT) also transitions from low-to-high, and it reaches the midpoint of such transition at time t₁. Similarly, the S_(OUT) signal reaches the midpoint of its high-to-low transition responsive to the high-to-low transition of the input signal at time t₃. The delay of the output signal S_(OUT) after the low-to-high transition of the S_(IN) signal is commonly designated as t_(PLH). Similarly, the delay of the output signal S_(OUT) after the high-to-low transition of the S_(IN) signal is commonly designated as t_(PHL). It is desirable for the magnitude of t_(PLH) to be the same as the magnitude of t_(PHL), which requires that the buffer have symmetrical operating characteristics. It is generally even more important that t_(PLH) and t_(PHL) remain constant despite environmental changes, such as changes in the magnitude of a supply voltage V_(CC) or the reference voltage V_(REF). Otherwise, timing relationships will vary with these environmental changes, thus making it impossible for memory devices to operate at very high speeds where timing tolerances are very small.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the operation of a “single-ended” buffer that receives a single input signal S_(IN) and outputs a single output signals S_(OUT). However, buffers used in memory devices and other electronic devices are often differential buffers that receive complementary input signals S_(IN), S_(IN)* and output complementary output signals S_(OUT), S_(OUT)*. However, variations are also common, such as buffers that receive a single input signal S_(IN) and output complementary output signals S_(OUT), S_(OUT)* as well as buffers. that receive complementary input signals S_(IN), S_(IN)* and output a single output signals S_(OUT).

The operating characteristics of a buffer receiving complementary input signals S_(IN), S_(IN)* and outputting complementary output signals S_(OUT), S_(OUT)* is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. With reference to FIG. 2A, complementary input signals S_(IN), S_(IN)* applied to a buffer have a first transition at time t₀ and a second transition opposite the first transition at time t₂. The voltage of the input signals S_(IN), S_(IN)* are generally compared to each other, and the buffer switches when the magnitude of the input signal S_(IN) increases above the S_(IN)* signal or decreases below the S_(IN)* signal.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the output signals S_(OUT), S_(OUT)* transition in response to the first and second transitions of the input signals S_(IN), S_(IN)* at times t₁ and t₂, respectively. Again, the delay between t₀ and t₁ can be designated as t_(PLH), and the delay between t₂ and t₃ can be designated as t_(PHL). It is also important for t_(PLH) to have the same as the magnitude as t_(PHL), and for both of those parameters to be insensitive to environmental changes.

A variety of input buffers and output buffers are in common use. Some of these buffers have non-symmetrical topologies that tend to result in non-symmetrical operating characteristics. Even if the buffers do not have non-symmetrical operating characteristics, their t_(PLH) and t_(PHL) parameters may vary excessively with environmental changes. For example, a self-biased differential amplifier 10 as shown in FIG. 3 is commonly used as an input buffer in memory devices. The amplifier 10 includes a pair of PMOS transistors 14, 16 coupled to each other and to a supply voltage V_(CC) to act as a current mirror so that current through the transistor 14 is equal to the current through the transistor 16. The current mirror operates by the transistor 14 sensing the current passing through it and generating a voltage that is used to control both transistors 14, 16. The drains of the transistors 14, 16 are coupled to respective NMOS transistors 20, 24, which receive complementary input signals V_(IN+) and V_(IN−) at their gates, respectively. However, a reference voltage is often applied to the amplifier 10, and the amplifier operates as a “single-ended” amplifier receiving a single input signal. The transistors 20, 24 function as a differential amplifier to produce an output signal V_(OUT+) at the drain of the NMOS transistor 24 that has a magnitude that is proportional to the difference between V_(IN+) and V_(IN−). However, in other implementations, the amplifier 10 produce output signal V_(OUT+) and V_(OUT−) at the drain of the NMOS transistor 24 and the drain of the NMOS transistor 20, respectively. Finally, an NMOS transistor 28 coupled to the sources of both NMOS transistors 20, 24 acts as a current sink to set the current flowing through the transistors 20, 24. The transistor 28 is biased by coupling its gate to the drain of the transistor 20.

The differential amplifier is referred to as “self-biased” because the bias voltage applied to the gate of the current sink transistor 28 is automatically adjusted to maintain the current through the transistor 28 constant as the supply voltage V_(CC) and the temperature of the amplifier 10 change. For example, if the current is reduced because of these changes, the voltage drop across the PMOS transistor 14 is reduced so that the bias voltage applied to the gate of the current sink transistor 28 is increased. As a result, the current through the PMOS transistor 14 is brought back to its original value. In a similar manner, if the current through the transistor 14 increases, the bias voltage applied to the gate of the current sink transistor 28 decreases so that the transistor 28 reduces the current through the PMOS transistor 14 back to its original value.

The self-biased differential amplifier 10 provides good performance in a large number of applications. It is partly for that reason it is so widely used. However, it is apparent from FIG. 3 that the amplifier 10 has a non-symmetrical topology. In particular, the drain of only the PMOS transistor 14 is connected to the gates of the transistors 14, 16. The gate of the PMOS transistor 16 has no similar connection. Furthermore, the output signal V_(OUT+) of the differential amplifier 10 is taken from the drain of the NMOS transistor 24. Even if the amplifier 10 provided a differential output by taking an output signal from the drain of the NMOS transistor 20, the amplifier would still have a non-symmetrical topology.

The non-symmetrical topology of the amplifier 10 causes its operating characteristics to be non-symmetrical so that response of the amplifier 10 to low-to-high transitions of the input signals V_(IN+) and V_(IN−), i.e., t_(PLH), does not match the response of the amplifier 10 to high-to-low transitions of the input signals V_(IN+) and V_(IN−), i.e., t_(PHL). Similar problems exist for other input and output buffer circuits that have non-symmetrical topologies.

There is therefore a need for a buffer circuit that has a symmetrical configuration so that it responds to low-to-high transitions of input signals in the same manner that it responds to high-to-low transitions of input signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of designing an input or output buffer by combining first and second buffer circuits each of which have a non-symmetrical topology. The first and second buffer circuit are combined by coupling the first buffer circuit to the second buffer circuit in a manner that results in a buffer having a symmetrical topology. The resulting buffer includes first and second transistors coupled to each other in a current mirror configuration, and third and fourth transistors coupled to each other in a current mirror configuration. Each of a pair of differential input transistors receive a respective input signal at its gate, and it is coupled to one of the transistors in a respective one of the current mirrors. A pair of current source transistors are coupled to the differential input transistors, and they are biased by one of the transistors in a respective one of the current mirrors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a timing diagram showing the response of a conventional single-ended buffer to transitions of an input signal.

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing the response of a conventional differential buffer to transitions of an input signal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional self-biased differential amplifier that is commonly used as a buffer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a symmetrical self-biased differential amplifier according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the amplifier of FIG. 4 drawn in a different manner.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a symmetrical self-biased differential amplifier according to another embodiment of the invention obtained by modifying the amplifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a symmetrical self-biased differential amplifier obtained by modifying the amplifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a symmetrical self-biased differential amplifier obtained by modifying the amplifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of still another embodiment of a symmetrical self-biased differential amplifier obtained by modifying the amplifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method of creating a symmetrical input or output buffer by combining non-symmetrical buffers.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example of a memory device using input buffers and output buffers according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a computer system using the memory device of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a pair of the non-symmetrical differential amplifier 10 of FIG. 3 can be combined to provide a symmetrical differential amplifier that has symmetrical operating characteristics. However, essentially the same technique can be used to provide a symmetrical buffer from other types of buffers having a non-symmetrical topology.

With reference to FIG. 4, a pair of the differential amplifiers 10 a,b are modified and coupled to each other to provide a differential amplifier 30 having a symmetrical topology. Specifically, a second NMOS current sink transistor 34 a,b is provided in each amplifier 10 a,b in parallel with the current sink transistor 28 a,b. The PMOS transistor 14 a in the current mirror of the first amplifier 10 a is then coupled to the gate of the added current sink transistor 34 b in the second amplifier 10 b as well as to the existing current sink transistor 28 a. Similarly, the PMOS transistor 14 b in the current mirror of the second amplifier 10 b is coupled to the gate of the added current sink transistor 34 a in the first amplifier 10 a as well as to the existing current sink transistor 28 b. The input and output connections of the second amplifier 10 b are reversed from the input and output connections of the first amplifier 10 a. Specifically, the V_(IN+) input signal is applied to the gate of the transistor 20 a in the first amplifier 10 a and to the gate of the transistor 24 b in the second amplifier 10 b. In the same manner, the V_(IN−) input signal is applied to the gate of the transistor 24 a in the first amplifier 10 a and to the gate of the transistor 20 b in the second amplifier 10 b. The V_(OUT+) output of the first amplifier 10 a is taken from the drain of the NMOS transistor 16 a, and the V_(OUT−) output of the second amplifier 10 b is also taken from the drain of the NMOS transistor 16 b. Thus, the outputs of both amplifiers 10 a,b are taken from the same circuit node. As a result, the amplifier 30 has an entirely symmetrical topology, and it therefore has symmetrical operating characteristics. The current sink transistors 28 a,b and 34 a,b preferably have a relatively high conductive resistance to minimize the power consumption of the amplifier 30.

The self-biased differential amplifier 30 can be redrawn as shown in FIG. 5 so that its symmetrical topology is even more apparent. As shown in FIG. 5, the amplifier 30 includes a center section 40, which includes the current sensing transistors 14 a, 14 b in the current mirrors, and two side sections 42 a,b. In operation, the voltages in the center section 40 remain substantially constant to provide common-mode feedback to help insure the symmetrical operating characteristics of the amplifier 30. The voltages in the side sections 42 a,b vary to a greater extent with changes in the input signals V_(IN+), V_(IN−), and it is these sections 42 a,b that provide the output signals V_(OUT+), V_(OUT−).

The amplifier 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be modified to improve its performance in several respects while still maintaining its symmetrical topology and performance. For example, since the drain of the current mirror sensing transistor 14 a is coupled to the gate of two current sink transistors 28 a, 34 b that are in parallel with each other, the added current sink transistor 34 b can be eliminated, as shown in the amplifier 50 of FIG. 6. For the same reason, the added current sink transistor 34 a can be eliminated. Eliminating the transistors 34 a,b not only reduces the number of transistors needed for the amplifier 50, but it allows the conductive resistance of the remaining current sink transistors 28 a,b to be reduced without increasing power consumption since there are no longer current sink transistors in parallel with the transistors 28 a,b.

As another example, the gain of the amplifier 30 can be improved at the expense of a slight reduction in symmetrical performance by breaking the connection between the original current sink transistors 28 a,b and the added current sink transistors 34 a,b. The resulting amplifier 60 is shown in FIG. 7. Since the drains of current sink transistors 28 a,b are no longer coupled to the drains of the current sink transistors 34 a,b in the center section, the output signals V_(OUT+), V_(OUT−) vary to a greater extent in response to variations in the input signals V_(IN+), V_(IN−).

By way of further example, the amplifier 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be modified to reduce current consumption as shown in FIG. 8. With reference to FIG. 8, the modified amplifier 70 adds a pair of cross-coupled PMOS transistors 64 a,b. The modified amplifier 70 also breaks the connection between the drains of the transistors 28 a, 34 b and between 28 b, 34 a as in the amplifier 60 of FIG. 7. The transistor 64 a is in parallel with the PMOS transistor 14 a between V_(CC) and the drain of the transistor 20 a, and the transistor 64 b is in parallel with the PMOS transistor 14 b between V_(CC) and the drain of the transistor 20 b. As mentioned above, the current sink transistors 28 a,b and 34 a,b in the amplifier 30 preferably have a high conductive resistance, which is achieved by making the conductive channels of the transistors 28 a,b and 34 a,b relatively long. Using the amplifier 70 with the added PMOS transistors 64 a,b, power consumption can be reduced without the need to use current sink transistors 28 a,b and 34 a,b having relatively long conductive channels. Furthermore, the addition of the PMOS transistors 64 a,b allow the amplifier 70 to operate with a lower value of supply voltage V_(CC).

Finally, as shown in FIG. 9, the amplifier 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be modified by eliminating not only the added current sink transistors 34 a,b, but also by eliminating the differential transistors 24 a and 24 a. The resulting amplifier 80 is entirely symmetrical, and it therefore provides symmetrical operating characteristics. The amplifier 80 represents the most basic configuration of an amplifier obtained by combining two of the amplifiers 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Although the current through the current sink transistor 28 a will increase responsive to the output voltage V_(OUT−) increasing, that increase in current will be countered by a decrease in the current through the current sink transistor 28 b response to the corresponding decrease in the output voltage V_(OUT+). As a result, the total current remains substantially constant. Furthermore, the increase in the output voltage V_(OUT+) increases the resistance of the PMOS transistor 16 b to reduce the voltage V_(OUT−), and the decrease in the voltage V_(OUT−) decreases the resistance of the PMOS transistor 16 a to increase the voltage V_(OUT+). This feedback characteristic allows the amplifier 80 to provide relatively high gain.

Although a few examples of how the amplifier 30 of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be modified to provide an input or output buffer having symmetrical topologies and operating characteristics, other modifications can also be made. For example, a self-biased differential amplifier using a negative supply voltage can be created from any of the amplifier designs shown in FIGS. 4-9 by simply substituting NMOS transistors for the PMOS transistors shown in FIGS. 4-9, and by substituting PMOS transistors for the NMOS transistors shown in FIGS. 4-9. The resulting amplifier can be combined with one of the amplifiers shown in FIGS. 4-9 to provided a self-biased differential amplifier that can generate output voltages having a range between a positive supply voltage and a negative supply voltage. Other modification and combinations can also be used.

The approach used to create the amplifier 30 by combining two of the amplifiers 10 shown in FIG. 3 to provide a symmetrical amplifier can be generalized to provide an input or output buffer having symmetrical topologies and operating characteristics from virtually input or output buffer having a non-symmetrical topology and operating characteristics. The technique is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 10. First, two such circuits that are “mirror images” of each other are provided in step 90. The two circuits are then connected to each other in a symmetrical manner in step 94. Circuit elements, such as the added current sink transistors 34 a,b, are then added in step 96 if necessary to create circuit symmetry. Finally, as shown in step 98, circuit components that are now in parallel with each other or otherwise redundant are eliminated.

Input buffers and output buffers using the self-biased differential amplifiers shown in FIGS. 4-9 or some other embodiment of the invention or a circuit generated using the design technique shown in FIG. 10 can be used in a memory device, as shown in FIG. 11. The memory device illustrated therein is a synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”) 100, although various embodiments of input and output buffers according to the present invention can be used in other types of memory devices, as well as other types of digital devices. The SDRAM 100 includes an address register 112 that receives either a row address or a column address on an address bus 114, preferably by coupling address signals corresponding to the addresses though one embodiment of input buffers 116 according to the present invention. The address bus 114 is generally coupled to a memory controller (not shown in FIG. 11). Typically, a row address is initially received by the address register 112 and applied to a row address multiplexer 118. The row address multiplexer 118 couples the row address to a number of components associated with either of two memory banks 120, 122 depending upon the state of a bank address bit forming part of the row address. Associated with each of the memory banks 120, 122 is a respective row address latch 126, which stores the row address, and a row decoder 128, which applies various signals to its respective array 120 or 122 as a function of the stored row address. The row address multiplexer 118 also couples row addresses to the row address latches 126 for the purpose of refreshing the memory cells in the arrays 120, 122. The row addresses are generated for refresh purposes by a refresh counter 130, which is controlled by a refresh controller 132.

After the row address has been applied to the address register 112 and stored in one of the row address latches 126, a column address is applied to the address register 112 and coupled through the input buffers 116. The address register 112 couples the column address to a column address latch 140. Depending on the operating mode of the SDRAM 100, the column address is either coupled through a burst counter 142 to a column address buffer 144, or to the burst counter 142 which applies a sequence of column addresses to the column address buffer 144 starting at the column address output by the address register 112. In either case, the column address buffer 144 applies a column address to a column decoder 148 which applies various signals to respective sense amplifiers and associated column circuitry 150, 152 for the respective arrays 120, 122.

Data to be read from one of the arrays 120, 122 is coupled to the column circuitry 150, 152 for one of the arrays 120, 122, respectively. The data is then coupled through a read data path 154 to a data output register 156. Data from the data output register 156 is coupled to a data bus 158 through data output buffers 159 according to various embodiments of the invention. Data to be written to one of the arrays 120, 122 is coupled from the data bus 158 to a data input register 160 through data input buffers 161 according to various embodiments of the invention. The data input register 160 then couples the write data to the column circuitry 150, 152 where they are transferred to one of the arrays 120, 122, respectively. A mask register 164 may be used to selectively alter the flow of data into and out of the column circuitry 150, 152, such as by selectively masking data to be read from the arrays 120, 122.

The above-described operation of the SDRAM 100 is controlled by a command decoder 168 responsive to command signals received on a control bus 170 though command input buffers 172 according to various embodiments of the invention. These high level command signals, which are typically generated by a memory controller (not shown in FIG. 11), are a clock enable signal CKE*, a clock signal CLK, a chip select signal CS*, a write enable signal WE*, a row address strobe signal RAS*, and a column address strobe signal CAS*, which the “*” designating the signal as active low. Various combinations of these signals are registered as respective commands, such as a read command or a write command. The command decoder 168 generates a sequence of control signals responsive to the command signals to carry out the function (e.g., a read or a write) designated by each of the command signals. These command signals, and the manner in which they accomplish their respective functions, are conventional. Therefore, in the interest of brevity, a further explanation of these control signals will be omitted.

FIG. 12 shows a computer system 200 containing the SDRAM 100 of FIG. 11. The computer system 200 includes a processor 202 for performing various computing functions, such as executing specific software to perform specific calculations or tasks. The processor 202 includes a processor bus 204 that normally includes an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus. In addition, the computer system 200 includes one or more input devices 214, such as a keyboard or a mouse, coupled to the processor 202 to allow an operator to interface with the computer system 200. Typically, the computer system 200 also includes one or more output devices 216 coupled to the processor 202, such output devices typically being a printer or a video terminal. One or more data storage devices 218 are also typically coupled to the processor 202 to allow the processor 202 to store data in or retrieve data from internal or external storage media (not shown). Examples of typical storage devices 218 include hard and floppy disks, tape cassettes, and compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs). The processor 202 is also typically coupled to cache memory 226, which is usually static random access memory (“SRAM”), and to the SDRAM 100 through a memory controller 230. The memory controller 230 is coupled to the SDRAM 100 through the normally control bus 170 and the address bus 114. The data bus 158 is coupled from the SDRAM 100 to the processor bus 204 either directly (as shown), through the memory controller 230, or by some other means.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Such modifications are well within the skill of those ordinarily skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A self-biased amplifier, comprising: a first transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the source of the first transistor being coupled to a first supply voltage; a second transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the second transistor being coupled to the first transistor in a current mirror configuration with its gate coupled to the drain of the first transistor, the source of the second transistor being coupled to the first supply voltage; a third transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the source of the third transistor being coupled to the first supply voltage; a fourth transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the fourth transistor being coupled to the third transistor in a current mirror configuration with its gate coupled to the drain of the third transistor, the source of the fourth transistor being coupled to the first supply voltage; a fifth transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the fifth transistor having its gate coupled to receive a first input signal and its drain coupled to the drain of the first transistor; a sixth transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the sixth transistor having its gate coupled to receive a second input signal and its drain coupled to the drain of the third transistor; a seventh transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the seventh transistor having its gate coupled to the drain of the first transistor, its drain coupled to the drain of the fifth transistor and its source coupled to a second supply voltage; and an eighth transistor having a drain, a source and a gate, the eighth transistor having its gate coupled to the drain of the third transistor, its drain coupled to the drain of the sixth transistor and its source coupled to the second supply voltage. 2-39. (canceled) 